Structure & Chronology

Structure - Tension and Drama

The structure of the play lets Priestley show the characters and audience events in ways that build tension and drama throughout the story.

Role of the narrator

Priestley uses Inspector Goole as a narrator who controls the release of information to the audience and characters in the play, and the order that the audience hear key details.
Inspector Goole knows everything before the characters even tell him. This creates tension as the audience wonders how Inspector Goole knew that a girl had died.
- The audience also wonders how the family was involved before the death had actually happened.

True natures revealed

As the characters learn details of the story and stop the flow by interrupting and arguing, we see their true natures. More tension is built up for the audience.

Characters' reactions

By presenting a group of characters who only know their own role in Eva Smith’s story (once they realise who she was), Priestley could create more drama and tension.
We see the characters’ reactions to one another’s stories, and their reactions to the very idea of someone from a lower social class interrogating them.

Structure of An Inspector Calls

The play is structured in 3 acts:

Act 1

We meet the Birlings in their rose-tinted world.
The Inspector enters and shatters the illusion (misleading image) because we learn about Mr Birling and Sheila’s involvement in Eva’s death.
As the act ends, we learn that Gerald knew Eva as well. We see a huge argument between the newly-engaged couple.

Act 2

The act opens with Gerald being uncertain and upset.
But Priestley leaves Gerald and moves to Mrs Birling, who argues with him and tries to stop the investigation.
Goole moves back to Gerald, who reveals his part in the story.
Then, we move to Mrs Birling’s role. She ends up telling Goole to punish whoever got Eva pregnant.
Just as Mrs Birling figures out it was her own son, the act ends.

Act 3

Eric enters and reveals his part in the story.
Mrs Birling tries to withdraw her statements from before.
The Inspector tells them that they all killed Eva Smith and tells them to be less selfish. Then he leaves.
The family find that the story is false. The audience see the true impact of Inspector Goole – three of the main characters have learnt nothing.
Just as they are showing their joy at this, a real Inspector calls and says he needs to interview them all.

1Plot Summary

1.1Act 1

1.1.1Act 1 Summary

1.1.2Act 1 Key Quotes

1.2Act 2

1.2.1Act 2 Summary

1.2.2Act 2 Key Quotes

1.3Act 3

1.3.1Act 3 Summary

1.3.2Act 3 Key Quotes

1.3.3Act 3 More Key Quotes

1.3.4End of Topic Test - Acts 1, 2 & 3

2Context & Key Themes

2.1Context & Key Themes

2.1.1Social Class & Equality

2.1.2Class Tension

2.1.3Abuse of Power & Corruption

2.1.4Socialism vs Capitalism

2.1.5Blame & Responsibility

2.1.6Attitudes to Women

2.1.7Characterisation of Women

2.1.8Dramatic Function of Characters

2.1.9End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Context & Key Themes 2

2.1.11Grade 9 - Key Themes

3Key Characters

3.1Mr Birling

3.1.1Mr Birling Analysis

3.1.2Mr Birling Quotes

3.2Mrs Birling

3.2.1Mrs Birling Analysis

3.2.2Mrs Birling Quotes

3.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Mrs Birling

3.3Sheila

3.3.1Sheila Analysis

3.3.2Sheila Quotes

3.3.3End of Topic Test - The Birlings & Sheila

3.4Eric

3.4.1Eric Analysis

3.4.2Eric Quotes

3.5Gerald

3.5.1Gerald Analysis

3.5.2Gerald Quotes

3.6Inspector Goole

3.6.1Inspector Goole Analysis

3.6.2Inspector Goole Quotes

3.6.3End of Topic Test - Eric, Gerald & Inspector Goole

3.7Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.7.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

4Authorial Method

4.1Arrangement & Structure of the Play

4.1.1Setting, Lighting & Dramatic Irony

4.1.2Structure & Chronology

4.1.3Structure & Chronology 2

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Authorial Method

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